NEW HAVEN, C.T. (WSYR-TV) — There are still many questions on how e-cigarettes and vaping products impact the human body. A man from Cicero is looking into the issue as part of a research team with Yale University.
Mark Falinski, a graduate student with a Ph.D. at Yale University, helped create a machine that tests the vapor from Juul products and other e-cigarettes to see what it’s made of.
“Is there another chemical reaction happening as a result, do these chemicals that are being formed cause any sort of toxic or negative implications to the human body,” Falinski said.
Falinski built the machine four years ago, looking for answers. It works by attaching a Juul or other e-cigarette products. The machine then ingests the vapor as a human would. Researchers then capture the vapor and test it.
“We’re not sure that these things are hazardous but we are pretty sure that they’re not completely benign,” Falinski said.
They’re finding most e-cigarettes use fake sugar, which Falinskis said can become addictive. And he said the product you think you’re putting into your body actually changes once the chemicals start mixing as they’re smoked.
“They can react and create what’s called acetals. And these acetals we’ve also discovered might be causing inflammation in the lungs,” Falinski said.
And Falinski and his research team aren’t done yet, they hope to expand, testing off-the-market products you can’t find at the store.
“I don’t think there’s nearly enough research on these. I mean, they are technically regulated, but there’s so much that needs to be understood about these before they should really be in children’s hands, in teenagers’ hands, or even in adults’ hands,” Falinski said.
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